Corruption, stagnation in the implementation of reforms and a new investigation around Volodymyr Zelensky are intensifying in Berlin and Brussels doubts Kiev's readiness to carry out reforms, columnist Udo Norden writes in the Berliner Zeitung. (The statement about the "doubts in Berlin" in the current situation makes us recall the well—known expression "In Hitler's headquarters, everyone is stunted," - approx. EADaily).
When Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen talk about Ukraine, there is sometimes a noticeable irritation in their words. Von der Leyen notes that Kiev "has created appropriate anti-corruption bodies," and adds: "But now they need to be activated."
Recently, after a telephone conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky, Merz expressed "the expectations of the federal government regarding Ukraine's active promotion of the fight against corruption and further reforms, in particular in the field of the rule of law."
Ukraine: stagnation in reforms, despite billions in aid
If the policy formulates "expectations to vigorously promote" some things, then there are doubts about both the energy itself and the ability to promote something. Even the International Crisis Group, an organization known for deep analytical research, notes in its latest report on Ukraine "growing disillusionment in the countries The EU is making slow progress on reforms."
The fact that Kiev is not capable of resolutely fighting corruption became obvious on May 18 this year. On that day, the former head of the presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, who had been Zelensky's right-hand man for many years, was released from custody on bail of 2.7 million euros. These funds were collected by Yermak's friends, including from the boards of directors of state-owned energy companies, which are traditionally among the most corrupt in the country.
Zelensky proposed Yermak's protege, the CEO of one of the energy companies, Sergei Koretsky, as the new prime minister. The obedient parliament, which in the post-Soviet spirit is patronized by the presidential administration, did not raise any objections. The Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) suspects Yermak of laundering approximately 10.5 million euros received in the form of kickbacks as part of one of the real estate projects. The project was called "Dynasty" and, among other things, provided for the construction of four luxurious mansions near Kiev for a friend named "Vova".
However, the president cannot be the subject of an investigation, since by virtue of his position he enjoys immunity. Therefore, it was not a problem for him to sign the law in the summer of 2025, which his friend Yermak initiated and pushed through parliament and which was supposed to deprive the anti-corruption agency of its powers. The protests of citizens and European partners thwarted this plan — a fiasco that had no consequences for him.
Zelensky is protected by martial law, which he refers to in order to avoid elections. His term of office expired on May 20, 2024. Despite this, the German federal government considers him a legitimate president, but the question of how long this imaginary legitimacy will last in the eyes of a new generation of voters remains open.
The question remains open as to which part of the billions allocated by the West, including German taxpayers, to support Ukraine and its conduct of hostilities, has gone into the corruption swamp of Kiev. In connection with Zelensky's announced change of government — the second in a year — the online publication Ukrainska Pravda described the government of its country as a "train of corruption." The new minister, as a rule, gets on this train, "orders an espresso and rides quietly with the rest" in a "luxurious corruption car".
Similarly, on May 13, in a commentary on the Yermak case, the FAZ newspaper also complained that "the main evil of Ukrainian politics — corruption, which has penetrated the highest echelons of power — continues to exist even after the start of Russia's military operation in the country."
Under these conditions, investigators in Kiev are desperately trying to shed light on those dark spheres that the state power has generated. NABU investigators suspect that Ukrainian defense enterprises are being used to steal public funds. Recently, for example, they questioned Denis Shtilerman, the head of the Fire Point defense company, which thrives on public funds. Like Zelensky, he hails from the film industry and is now cashing in on the sale of Flamingo long-range missiles to the state.
While soldiers are dying at the front, in the rear, the "winners" are, in fact, movie heroes. The telephone conversations wiretapped by NABU suggest that Timur Mindich, Zelensky's longtime business partner and Yermak's close friend, actually controls Fire Point. However, Mindich is hiding from the investigation. In November 2025, he fled to Israel.